Physicians Deliver Research Results at NYHQ Symposium

Five Research Projects Earn Excellence Awards, Norton Luger Lectureship
Established

Flushing, NY, June 7, 2011 – The 240 medical residents
and fellows at New York Hospital Queens (NYHQ) have a unique educational
opportunity that also benefits patients, the Queens community and the
global medical knowledge base. Clinical research is an essential
component of medicine, however, new physicians are often not exposed to
it during training.

The Theresa and Eugene M. Lang Center for Research and Education, the
research division of the hospital, has a program that develops the
research skills of young physicians. Residents and Fellows are
encouraged to conduct clinical research during their training with the
support of the Lang Center. The results are then presented during
“Residents and Fellows Day.”

The 2011 symposium featured 60 research projects. The keynote address,
“Bad Bugs and Me,” covered antibiotic-resistant bacteria and was given
by the Norton M. Luger, M.D., Visiting Lecturer, Robert A. Weinstein,
M.D., the widely known and respected epidemiologist. In 2011, this
lectureship was established to honor Dr. Luger, the first chairman of
Medicine at the former Booth Memorial Medical Center (now, NYHQ).

“Our clinical research program is thriving, and as young physicians come
to NYHQ for training many of them want to be involved in our research
program for its level of quality and sophistication. We created this
program because we recognize that an investment in early exposure to
research techniques and principles better prepares physicians to become
superb clinicians,” said Phyllis August, M.D., M.P.H., director of the
Lang Center.

“For example, research presented at this year’s symposium highlighted
new approaches to radiation therapy for cancer treatment, clinical
documentation for patients with heart disorders, as well as advances in
infectious disease,” Dr. August added. “I’m confident that the energy
and creativity shown by our young physicians in identifying topics for
study will continue to expand the boundaries of medical knowledge.”

During the symposium, the NYHQ Scientific Advisory Board recognized five
of the presentations with “Awards in Excellence” based upon the
soundness of research methodology, potential impact on patients and the
quality of the presentation itself. Award winning oral, poster and case
report presentations included:

Alarming Antimicrobial Resistance in Gram Negative Isolates from
Long Term Care Facilities – Celestine Tchikounzi, D.O.,
fellow, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious DiseaseResearch identified that there are high levels of drug
resistance in many bacteria commonly found in long-term care
facilities. The bacteria are able to survive exposure to
antibiotics, which poses threats to patients who are admitted to
long-term care facilities.

Identification of CTX-M-β-Lactamases in Escherichia coli from
the Community – Hemavarna Tiruvury, M.D.,
fellow, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious DiseaseResearch identified that the most prevalent
antibiotic-resistant enzyme, CTX-M-15, in community-acquired e.
coli (EC) is resistant to third generation antibiotics. This
enzyme is responsible for resistance in β-Lactam antibiotics
like penicillin. Additionally, carbapenems were the only type of
antibiotics that would be therapeutically effective in patients
with EC that possess the CTX-M-15 enzyme.

Clinician Documentation of Significant Electrocardiographic
Findings in Adults Presenting to the Emergency Department with
Dysrhythmias and/or Conduction Disorders– Nidhi Garg,
M.D., resident, Department of Emergency MedicineResearch identified that electrocardiographs are not as
likely to be documented in patients younger than 65 years of age
and when patients are admitted with a non-cardiac diagnosis.

A Case Report of Neuromyelitis Optica in a Pediatric Patient:
Distinguishing Neuromyelitis Optica from Multiple Sclerosis – J.
Cooperman, M.D., resident, Department of PediatricsResearch identified that although Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)
presents many clinical similarities to multiple sclerosis (MS)
and was previously under the spectrum of MS, it is a distinct
disorder. It is important to distinguish between these disorders
since treatment strategies differ. Drugs that prevent activity
of the immune system, specifically, the humoral immune response,
have become the therapy of choice in preventing NMO relapse.

The Lang Research Center was made possible through an endowment by
long-time NYHQ benefactors Eugene Lang and the late Theresa Lang. Today,
the Center has more than 120 active clinical study protocols.

New York Hospital Queens is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian
Healthcare System and is an affiliate of the Weill Medical College of
Cornell University.